Web-printing mechanisms with intermittently rotatable feed means



1965 B w. EDGELEY ETAL 3,157,008

WEB-PRINTING MECHANISMS WITH INTERMITTENTLY ROTATABLE FEED MEANS Filed March 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1965 B. w. EDGELEY ETAL 3,167,008 WEB-PRINTING MECHANISMS WITH INTERMITTENTLY ROTATALLE FEED MEANS Filed March 19, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z i 34 an 350 immy Ma Q? United States Patent 3,167,088 WEB-PRINTING MEHANEMS WITH HQTER- MITTENTLY RGTATABLE FEED MEANS Brian William Edge l'ey and John BasilCousins, London, England, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Form Master Limited, Peterborough, England Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 186,512 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Mar. 24, 1961,

10,906/61 9 Claims. (Cl. 1(t122 8) The invention relates to web-fed printing machines of the kind having a continuously rotatable printing couple Operable to print intermittently and anintermittently rotatable web feeding means for feeding the web through the couple during printing operations. One such machine is disclosed in Dyke United States Patent No. 3,052,182 of September 4, 1962, and the present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with improvements in that machine. The improvements are particularly concerned with controlling the feed of the Web in timed relation with the printing operations.

The invention provides a machine of the above kind characterised by means for driving the web feeding means comprising a continuously rotatable driving member, a driven member coupled to the feeding means, an electrically operable clutch between the driving and driven members, switch means controlling engagement and disengagement of the clutch, a pragramrne member driven in synchronism with the printing couple and operable on the switch means to effect engagement of the clutch each time feed of the web is to start and a cam or the equivalent driven in synchronism with the printing couple and operable on the switch means to effect disengagement of the clutch each time feed of the web is to stop.

Preferably the timing of the operation of the programme member is variable in relation to the rotation of the printing couple.

Although as later described other form. of programme member may be used, it is preferred that the member is an endless flexible band having a notch or projection (or several such) engageable with the switch means to effect operation thereof.

The clutch may be an epicyclic gear train having driving, driven and reaction members of which the driving member is continuously rotatable with the printing couple, the driven member is coupled to the web feeding means and there is a pawl and ratchet mechanism for releasably holding the reaction member, with a solenoid for effecting engagement'or disengagement of the pawl, the energisation state of the solenoid being under the control of the switch means aforesaid.

A specific embodiment of a machine according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view showing the general layout of the machine,

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic and explanatory View showing the driving and control means for the web-feed rollers viewed in the same direction as in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the driving and control means for the web-feed rollers viewed in the opposite direction to that in FIGURE 1.

A, then through a printing section B and rewind reel 52. i

The printing section comprises continuously rotatable lithographic printing cylinders 4d, 45 'which, normally print over only a part of their circumference, and a numbering unit comprisingcylinders 46 and 19.0 which also rotate continuously. These cylinders are driven by gears from the cylinder 4-5.

a To feed the Web there are two pairs of rollers 33, and 48, 49. These rollers are driven, intermittently, by the mechanism about to be described, the arrangement being such that the web is fed during the printing operation of the cylinders and is stopped during the whole, or a part, of the periods in which the cylinders rotate without printing.

The roller 33 is driven by chain 71 from. a sprocket on shaft 72 which carries the roller 43 and which is driven and controlled as follows. The drive is taken from the shaft 146 of the numbering cylinder or dpum 46, this shaft being continuously driven, from cylinder 45 as already mentioned. Secured to the shaft 146 (later called the numbering shaft) there is the sun-whee1 301 an epicyclic gear mechanism having planet wheels 392 on a rotatable planet carrier 304. The annulus or gear ring finally to the 3% is engaged with the planet wheels and attached to a large sprocket wheel 305 which is connected by roller chain 3% to a sprocket wheel 307 of half the diameter (giving a 2:1 ratio) fixed on the shaft 72. A ratchet wheel 3&8 is secured to the planet carrier 304 and a pawl 310 operated by a solenoid 311 is provided for engaging the ratchet teeth and so stopping rotation of the carrier 3114. When so engaged, the numbering shaft 146 drives the shaft 72, with a total gear ratio of 6:1 through the epicyclic gear and the chain drive. The ratchet wheel and pawl accordingly provide a releasable clutch between the numbering shaft 146, which rotates continuously, and the shaft 72 which drives the web-feeding rollers 33 and 48; v i

The following mechanism is employed to effect engagement and release of the clutch at the times appropriate to feed the paper web by the desired amounts during printing operations. Rotatable with the numbering shaft 146 there is a small type earn 312 and rotatable witlith'e feed shaft 72 there is a detent wheel 313 with six notches 314 in its periphery. A lever 316 extends between these two members and has fixed on one end a follower 317 for the cam and on the other end a detent wedge or finger 318 for engaging in the notches 314. The arrangement is that over a small arc of movement the cam 312 rocks the lever 316 to disengage the finger 318 frorna notch 314 in the detent wheel, the finger is helcl'from the wheel during the remainder of a revolution of the cam and is then allowed to drop onto the wheel and engage in the notch 314 next to arrive opposite the finger thereby to stop and locate the detent wheel and feed shaft'72. The feed shaft 72 is therefore freed during a major pore tion of each revolution of the numbering shaft 146 and is positively held and located at a precise position once during each revolution.

When the finger 318 is held out of the notches 314Qin the detent wheel, the lever 316 engages and closes a microswitch 3241 in a holding circuit for an electrical relay 321. This relay has two sets of contacts, one set, 322, being in the said holding circuit so that the relay is self-holding so long as the micro-switch is closed. The other set, 323, is in an energising circuit for the soienoid 311 so that energisation of the relay will effect energis'ation of the solenoid and engagement of the clutch. This set of con'- tacts also controls a magnetic brake 326 on the feed shaft 72 and is arranged so that when the solenoid is deencrgised and the finger 31% is out of a notch 314, the

aromas 328 which is driven by a pin wheel 329 having pins 336 engaging in holes 331 in the belt, the pinwheel rotating continuously with the printing cylinder 45 and being driven by gears therefrom. This belt has a notch 333, or notches, in one side edge and this edge runs against an operating roller 334 for a second micro-switch 335. The switch 335 i held open by the belt and when a notch 333 comes opposite to the rollerwhich is arranged to occur each time feed of the web is to start and when the finger 313 is out of notches 314 the roller drops into the notch 333 and the switch 335 closes. Closure of the switch energises the relay coil 321 which is, as already explained, self-holding. The relay therefore remain energised after the roller has left a notch and until the micro-switch 32% is opened;

The operation of the mechanism is, therefore, that feed of the web is initiated by the roller 334 on the second switch entering a notch in the belt 328 and the feed is stopped when the detent finger 318, released by the cam, enters a notch in the detent wheel and switch 32v) opens.

In order that the length of web which is fed at each operation may be varied, the position of the notch in the belt relative to the printing drum may be adjusted, for example, by mean of a releasable clutch (not shown but, for example, of the dog or pin in sockets types) in the drive to the pin wheel. The position at which the feed is begun in each revolution of the printing drums and shaft 146 is therefore variable but the end of the feed is substantially constant in relation to the printing cylinders or drums. In other words the angular movement of shaft '72 and the length of web which is fed at each operation are variable but the stopping of the feed and movement of the shaft'always occurs at substantially the same position of the printing cylinders, whatever the length that is fed.

In order to ensure that the mechanism shall not become locked by combined operation of the ratchet device 308, 310, and the cam and detent device 312, 37.6, 313, 313, the pawl 310 is. carried on and fixed to a shaft 3% which also has fixed to it a lever 341 having a pin 342 slidable in a slot 343 in the end of a link 34% attached to the lever 316, adjacent the cam follower 317. The arrangement is such that as the finger 318 drops into a detent notch 314 the bottom of the slot 343 engages and pushes the pin 3 52 to rock the lever 341i and shaft 349 to disengage the pawl 31W from the ratchet 3 38. A compression spring 345 acts on the lever 31% to effect these operations.

A potentiometer or voltage adjuster 3% is provided in the supply lead to the relay 321 and solenoid 311 above described. The controlled voltage is also applied, through lead 351, to the coils of the brakes and clutches controlling the drive to the supply and re-wind reels 3d and 52. This enables the voltage applied to the coils of these members to be varied and hence the flux density in the coils to be varied. In use, when the rate of feed of the web is increased so is the applied voltage which causes an increase in the rate of reaction and effect of the various parts which helps to ensure that the correct tension is maintained in the web as the speed varie and also that the pawl 314i drops into the appropriate tooth of the epicyclic planet carrier.

Various modifications may be made in the above described example. For instance, it is not essential although much to be preferred-that the operation of the switch 335 be effected by a flexible belt. For instance the belt 328 may be replaced by a rotatable disc with notches its periphery min the edge of a peripheral flange. The notches, whether on a belt or disc, may be replaced by projections, the switch in that case being normally open and closed by engagement of a projection with the operating member 334. When a belt is used, it is not essential that it be of plastic, it may be of metal, nor is it essential that it be driven by a pin wheel. It may itself have driving projections on its inner surface engaging in notches in a driving pulley.

We claim: I

l. A machine for printing continuous webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, web-feeding rolls said driving shaft, said drive connection comprising a sun wheel in constant driven relation with said drive shaft, an internally gear-toothed annulus and means for transmitting rotation from said annulus to said roll driv ing shaft, a planet carrier rotatable about the axis of said sun wheel, a planet wheel rotatably supported by said carrier in meshing relation both with said sun wheel and with internally gear-toothed annulus, an electrically operated means for alternately arresting the rotation of said planet carrier and said internally gear-toothed annulus whereby alternately to cause said planet wheel to transmit rotation from said sun wheel to the internal geartoothed annulus when the rotation of said planet carrier is arrested, and to cause said carrier and planet wheel to free wheel when the rotation of the internally geartoothed annulus is arrested, and an adjustable endless programme member s"nchronously driven with said drive shaft controlling the operation of said electrically operated means.

2. A machine for printing continuous Webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, web-feeding rolls in continuous contact with the web to be printed, and means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently, said means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently comprising a drive shaft, a mechanical drive connection between said drive shaft and said rolls, said drive connection including an epicyclic gear mechanism having a sun wheel driven by said drive shaft, planet Wheels carried by a rotatable carrier, an annulus meshing with the planet wheels geared to said driven shaft, and a freewheel gear ring fast with the planet carrier, a pawl movable into and from engagement with the gear ring to arrest and free the planet carrier against and for rotation respectively so as to clutch drive at a reduced ratio to the annulus and hence to said driven shaft when the pawl is engaged with the ring and to de-clutch the drive so that the planet carrier free-wheels in the annulus when the pawl is disengaged, electrically operated means for moving said pawl, an adjustable endless programme member synchronously driven with said drive shaft for causing pawl and clutch operation, a mechanical detent for locking engagement with said rolls, and a connection be: tween said drive shaft and said detent for engaging and disengaging the detent with the rolls at predetermined points in a printing cycle.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrically operated means for actuating said pawl comprise a solenoid, an electric circuit including a switch arranged to be closed by said programme member, and a holding circuit for maintaining said solenoid energised beyond reopening of said switch.

between said drive shaft and said rolls, a clutch operative V to connect and disconnect said drive connection, a. sole noid for actuating said clutch, an adjustable endless programme member synchronously driven With said drive shaft and having lateral discontinuities, a switch disposed in the path of said discontinuities and adapted to be opened and closed thereby, an electric circuit including said switch and said solenoid, said circuit further including a relay and a holding circuit for maintaining said solenoid energised beyond re-opening of the switch, a mechanical detent for locking engagement with said rolls, a connection between said drive shaft and said detent for engaging and disengaging the detent with the rolls at predetermined points in the printing cycle, a second switch arranged adjacent the said connection between said drive shaft and detent and arranged, when closed, to complete said circuit including the solenoid, and when open to break said circuit.

5. A machine for printing continuous webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, Web-feeding rolls in continuous contact with the web to be printed, and means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently, said means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently comprising a drive shaft, an epicyclic gearing mechanism forming a drive connection between said drive shaft and said rolls, a pawl operative on said epicyclic gearing mechanism to connect and disconnect said drive connection, solenoid operated means for actuating said pawl, an adjustable endless programme member synchronously driven with said drive shaft and comprising a belt provided with lateral discontinuities, a drive hub for said belt, a switch located in the path of said discontinuities for actuation thereby, said switch being in a circuit including said solenoid, a mechanical detent for locking engagement with said rolls, and a connection between said drive shaft and said detent for engaging and disengaging the detent with a roll at predetermined points in a printing cycle.

6. A machine for printing continuous webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, web-feeding rolls in continuous contact with the web to be printed, and means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently, said means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently comprising a drive shaft, a mechanical drive connection between said drive shaft and said rolls, a clutch operative to connect and disconnect said drive connection, an adjustable endless programme member synchronously driven with said drive shaft, a mechanical detent for locking engagement with said rolls, a connection between said drive shaft and said detent for engaging and disengaging the detent with the rolls at predetermined points in a printing cycle, an electromagnetic brake operable on said rolls, first switch means associated with said detent for operating said clutch, second switch means associated with said programme member and operable to actuate said clutch, said first switch means being connected also to said brake to apply the brake when said clutch is disengaged and release said brake when the detent is disengaged and the said first switch means are operated prior to operation of the second switch means and actuation of said clutch.

7. A machine for printing continuous webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, web-feeding rolls in continuous contact with the web to be printed, and means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently, all of said web-feeding rolls being coupled to a common driving shaft, a drive shaft, a mechanical drive connection between said drive shaft and said driving shaft comprising an epicyclic gearing mechanism and a pawl operative to connect and disconnect drive through said epicyclic gearing mechanism, electrically operated means for actuating said pawl, an electromagnetic brake on said driving shaft, a notched wheel on said driving shaft, a cam on' said drive shaft, a detent, a lever pivoted for displacement by said cam and carrying said detent, switch means associated with said lever, and electrical circuits connecting said electrically operated means, said switch means, and further switch means associated with an adjustable programme member synchronously driven with said drive shaft for simultaneously disengaging the pawl and applying the brake as the detent engages a wheel notch and stops the wheel and rolls, and for releasing the brake as the detent disengages, and subsequently engaging the pawl.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein a mechanical anti-lock link is provided connecting the lever carrying the detent and the pawl.

9. A machine for printing continuous webs comprising a continuously driven printing couple, pairs of web-feeding rolls disposed on doth sides of said couple in continuou contact with the web to be printed, and means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently, said means for driving the web-feeding rolls intermittently comprising a drive shaft, a mechanical drive connection between said drive shaft and one of said rolls, a mechanical drive linking all of said rolls for synchronous rotation, a clutch operative to connect and disconnect said drive connection between said drive shaft and said one roll, electrically operated means for actuating said clutch, an adjustable endless programme member synchronously driven with said drive shaft for causing clutch operation, a wheel on said one roll said wheel having a series of peripheral notches, a mechanical detent shaped to engaged in any one notch, a lever carrying said detent, a snail cam engaging said lever for pivoting the latter to engage and disengage the detent with the wheel at predetermined points'in a printing cycle and lock the rolls against rotation when so engaged, an electric circuit including said electrically operated means for engaging said clutch, switch means actuated by said lever for readying said clutch for operation when said detent is disengaged from said wheel notches, and for disengaging said clutch when said detent is moved into engagement with said notch,

further switch means actuated by said programme member for operating said clutch when readied, holding means for retaining said clutch engaged after actuation of said further switch means and irrespective of the subsequent position thereof and until said detent moves into engagement with said notch and the lever re'actuates the firstmentioned switch means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 1,210,559 1/17 Story 101-363 X 1,282,131 10/18 Smith 101228 1,688,967 10/28 Holmes 101--228 1,819,751 8/31 LaBombard et al 101228 1,851,739 3/32 Townsend 74577 X 1,986,643 1/35 Mueller 101-228 2,039,236 4/36 Meisel 101228 2,548,136 4/51 Auer 101-226 X 2,633,220 3/53 Chase 192-448 2,645,174 7/53 Levin 101-132 2,672,093 3/54 Meyer 101-350 2,928,896 3/60 Dirks 101 2,938,606 5/60 Passrnan 74577 X 3,052,182 9/62 Dyke 101142 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner. R. A. LElGI-IEY, EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Examiners. 

1. A MACHINE FOR PRINTING CONTINUOUS WEBS COMPRISING A CONTINUOUSLY DRIVEN PRINTING COUPLE, WEB-FEEDING ROLLS IN CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH THE WEB TO BE PRINTED, A ROLL DRIVING SHAFT, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING THE SAID ROLL DRIVING SHAFT INTERMITTENTLY, SAID MEANS FOR DRIVING THE ROLL DRIVING SHAFT INTERMITTENTLY COMPRISING A DRIVE SHAFT, A MECHANICAL DRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND SAID DRIVING SHAFT, SAID DRIVE CONNECTION COMPRISING A SUN WHEEL IN CONSTANT DRIVEN RELATION WITH SAID DRIVE SHAFT, AN INTERNALLY GEAR-TOOTHED ANNULUS AND MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION FROM SAID ANNULUS TO SAID ROLL DRIVING SHAFT, A PLANET WHEEL ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID SUN WHEEL, A PLANET WHEEL ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID CARRIER IN MESHING RELATION BOTH WITH SAID SUN WHEEL AND WITH INTERNALLY GEAR-TOOTHED ANNULUS, AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY ARRESTING THE ROTATION OF SAID PLANET CARRIER AND SAID INTERNALLY GEAR-TOOTHED ANNULUS WHEREBY ALTERNATELY TO CAUSE SAID PLANET WHEEL TO TRANSMIT ROTATION FROM SAID SUN WHEEL TO THE INTERNAL GEARTOOTHED ANNULUS WHEN THE ROTATION OF SAID PLANET CARRIER IS ARRESTED, AND TO CAUSE SAID CARRIER AND PLANET WHEEL TO FREE WHEEL WHEN THE ROTATION OF THE INTERNALLY GEARTOOTHED ANNULUS IS ARRESTED, AND AN ADJUSTABLE ENDLESS PROGRAMMER MEMBER SYNCHRONOUSLY DRIVEN WITH SAID DRIVE SHAFT CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF SAID ELECTRICALLY OPERATED MEANS. 